News Room

August 27, 1997

When 570 members of the class of 2001 begin arriving
at Middlebury College on August 31, the faculty and staff will
be ready to welcome a group of young people chosen from the largest
applicant pool-4,738 students in the College's history. Coming
from 49 states and more than 30 countries, the students represent
a rich variety of experiences and talents. Forty-one new faculty
members will also join the College community this fall.

"We're thrilled to have had a seven percent
increase in the number of applicants for this class versus the
class that entered last year," said Mike Schoenfeld, Dean
of Enrollment Planning. "We feel especially fortunate since
this growth follows the 17 percent increase we enjoyed last year."

Vermonters in the new class include Kate Wright,
a Shelburne resident and graduate of Champlain Valley Union High
School, in Hinesburg. "Middlebury offered me a good combination-a
strong academic reputation and the opportunity to pursue the sports
I love," said Wright, a field hockey and lacrosse player.
"I'm also looking forward to being near home, but far enough
away so that I'll live in a dorm."

Orientation Activities

In homage to an old science fiction movie, Middlebury
College's 1997 orientation week for first-year students, which
will take place from Sept. 1-7, is titled "2001: A Middlebury
Odyssey." Offering an introduction to life as a Middlebury
College student, orientation activities range from a preview of
local volunteer opportunities and meetings with academic advisors,
to wilderness experiences and traditional ceremonies, such as
convocation.

Following the departure of their parents and families
on Sept. 1, students will attend a variety of events, including:
Middlebury College President McCardell's opening-of-the-school-year
address, a discussion about life on campus with the deans of the
College, a square dance, a library tour, and theatrical presentations
based on admissions application essays by their classmates.

When class registration is complete on September
4, students will line up for the traditional convocation procession
from Old Chapel to Mead Chapel. After the ceremony, which formally
marks the class's entrance into the College, students will gather
for a photo.

The final three days of orientation will give students
the chance to experience life beyond campusboth in the local Middlebury
community and beyond. Students choose between three options:
"MOO" (Middlebury Outdoor Orientation), "This is
Vermont" and "Volunteer Preview."

Now in its 10th year, "MOO"
is a student organized orientation event that was founded by members
of the Middlebury College Mountain Club. "MOO" leads
student groups in outdoor activities such as hiking, developing
among the new class an immediate appreciation for Vermont's beautiful
countryside. The trips also allow students to form friendships
in a relaxed setting as well as gain useful wilderness skills.

According to Juliana Popper '98, "MOO"
coordinator, "MOO" was started with the idea that the
outdoors is the perfect introduction to the College. "Many
students don't anticipate the scope of outdoor opportunities that
Vermont and the greater Middlebury area has to offer. These trips
expose them to the possibilities right away," said Popper.

This year, "MOO" will supply a variety
of backpacking opportunities. Most trips will explore Vermont's
Long Trail, and one will focus on both hiking and trail maintenance.
Canoe excursions and rock climbing expeditions will take place
just across Lake Champlain in New York State's Adirondacks. On
the Vermont side of the lake, mountain bike trips will explore
miles of dirt roads.

Students who select the "This is Vermont"
orientation event will also experience culture and landscape unique
to the area. Their activities range from a storytelling session
by Abenaki storyteller Wolf Song at the College's Bread Loaf campus
in Ripton, to riding the "Sugarbush Express" train to
Vermont's largest city, Burlington, and exploring Lake Champlain
by boat on the "Spirit of Ethan Allen II."

Those participating in "Volunteer Preview"
are introduced to the College's Volunteer Services Program, an
important component of college life. During orientation week,
students work on daily community service projects, such as trail
work with the U.S. Forest Service or home renovation for affordable
housing. With about half of all Middlebury students volunteering
at some time during their college career, "Volunteer Preview"
offers an early glimpse of the real world concerns of the local
community of Addison County, and of the opportunities offered
by the Program for students to make a positive impact upon them.

Opening-of-School-Year Address and Other Upcoming
Campus Events

President McCardell will deliver his annual opening-of-the-school-year
address on Monday, September 8 from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. in Mead
Chapel. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

The following is a schedule of upcoming campus
events:

Aug. 31 First-year students
begin arriving

Sept. 4 Convocation

Sept. 8 Classes Begin

Sept. 8 Opening-of-the-school-year
address by President McCardell (12:30 to 1:00pm, in Mead Chapel)